U.S. patent application number 15/186830 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-06 for printing apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Display Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Eui-Gyu Kim.
Application Number | 20160293904 15/186830 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51935626 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160293904 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Eui-Gyu |
October 6, 2016 |
PRINTING APPARATUS
Abstract
A printing apparatus includes a printing mask, which is disposed
between a substrate having a display area and a non-display area
surrounding the display area. The apparatus further includes a
nozzle discharging an organic light emitting liquid onto the
substrate. The printing mask includes a mask open part and a mask
cover part. The mask open part exposes the display area, and the
mask cover part surrounds the mask open part and covers the
non-display area. The apparatus can be used to form an organic
emitting layer on the substrate.
Inventors: |
Kim; Eui-Gyu; (Yongin-si,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Display Co., Ltd. |
Yongin-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
51935626 |
Appl. No.: |
15/186830 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14041534 |
Sep 30, 2013 |
9397295 |
|
|
15186830 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 51/56 20130101;
B41J 11/62 20130101; G03F 7/70691 20130101; H01L 51/0005
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01L 51/56 20060101
H01L051/56; G03F 7/20 20060101 G03F007/20; H01L 51/00 20060101
H01L051/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 27, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0059793 |
Claims
1. A printing apparatus comprising: a mask disposed between a
substrate having a display area and a non-display area surrounding
the display area, the mask comprising: a mask open part exposing
the display area, and a mask cover part surrounding the mask open
part and covering the non-display area; and a nozzle discharging an
organic light emitting liquid onto the substrate.
2. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle discharges
the organic light emitting liquid while moving in a moving
direction across the mask open part, and wherein the mask further
comprises at least one first groove located at one side of the mask
cover part on a path in the moving direction, the at least one
first groove being dented from a surface of the mask cover part and
extended along the moving direction.
3. The printing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mark comprises a
plurality of first grooves, the plurality of first grooves being
spaced apart from each other in a crossing direction across the
moving direction.
4. The printing apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a first
reservoir communicating with the plurality of first grooves, the
first reservoir being dented from the surface of the mask cover
part and extended along the crossing direction.
5. The printing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first reservoir
is located between the plurality of first grooves and the mask open
part.
6. The printing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least
one second groove located at the other side of the mask cover part,
which is spaced apart from one side of the mask cover part with the
mask open part therebetween on the path in the moving direction,
the at least one second groove being dented from the surface of the
mask cover part and extended along the moving direction.
7. The printing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the mark comprises a
plurality of second grooves, the plurality of second grooves being
spaced apart from each other in a crossing direction across the
moving direction.
8. The printing apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a second
reservoir communicating with the plurality of second grooves, the
second reservoir being dented from the surface of the mask cover
part and extended along the crossing direction.
9. The printing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second reservoir
is located between the plurality of second grooves and the mask
open part.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/041,534, filed on Sep. 30, 2013, which claims priority to
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0059793 filed in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office on May 27, 2013, the entire contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus and a
method of forming an organic light emitting layer, which are used
when the organic light emitting layer is formed on a substrate.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Technology
[0005] Display devices are those that display images, and an
organic light emitting diode (OLED) display has recently been
receiving attention.
[0006] The OLED display has self-luminance characteristics, and
does not require a separate light source, unlike a liquid crystal
display (LCD), and thus the thickness and weight thereof may be
relatively decreased. In addition, the OLED display exhibits
high-quality characteristics such as low consumption power, high
brightness, high response speed, and the like.
[0007] Generally, the OLED display includes an organic light
emitting element having a first electrode, an organic light
emitting layer disposed on the first electrode, and a second
electrode disposed on the organic light emitting layer.
[0008] The above information disclosed in this Background section
is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the
invention and therefore it may contain information that does not
form the prior art that is already known in this country to a
person of ordinary skill in the art.
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention have been made in an
effort to provide a printing mask and an apparatus for printing an
organic light emitting layer, having advantages of not needing to
remove an organic light emitting layer formed in a non-display area
of a substrate through additional processes even when the organic
light emitting layer is printed in a display area of the substrate
using a nozzle.
[0010] One embodiment of the present invention provides a printing
apparatus including a mask disposed between a substrate having a
display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area,
and a nozzle discharging an organic light emitting liquid onto the
substrate. The printing mask includes a mask open part, and a mask
cover part. The mask open part exposes the display area. The mask
cover part surrounds the mask open part and covers the non-display
area.
[0011] The nozzle may discharge the organic light emitting liquid
while moving in a moving direction across the mask open part. The
mask may further include at least one first groove located at one
side of the mask cover part on a path in the moving direction. The
at least one first groove may be dented from a surface of the mask
cover part and extended along the moving direction.
[0012] The at least one first grove may be adjacent to the mask
open part.
[0013] The mask may include a plurality of first grooves, and the
plurality of first grooves may be spaced apart from each other in a
crossing direction across the moving direction.
[0014] The printing apparatus may further include a first reservoir
communicating with the plurality of first grooves. The first
reservoir may be dented from the surface of the mask cover part and
extended along the crossing direction
[0015] The first reservoir may be located between the plurality of
first grooves and an end portion of the mask cover part.
[0016] The first reservoir may be located between the plurality of
first grooves and the mask open part.
[0017] The printing apparatus may further include at least one
second groove located at the other side of the mask cover part,
which is spaced apart from one side of the mask cover part with the
mask open part therebetween on the path in the moving direction.
The at least one second groove may be dented from the surface of
the mask cover part and extended along the moving direction.
[0018] The at least one second groove may be adjacent to the mask
open part.
[0019] The mask may include a plurality of second grooves, and the
plurality of second grooves may be spaced apart from each other in
a crossing direction across the moving direction.
[0020] The printing apparatus may further include a second
reservoir communicating with the plurality of second grooves. The
second reservoir may be dented from the surface of the mask cover
part and extended along the crossing direction.
[0021] The second reservoir may be located between the plurality of
second grooves and an end portion of the mask cover part.
[0022] The second reservoir may be located between the plurality of
second grooves and the mask open part.
[0023] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
method of forming an organic light emitting layer on a substrate
using the printing apparatus, the method comprising: printing an
organic light emitting layer by discharging the organic light
emitting liquid through the nozzle and onto the printing mask
disposed between the substrate and the nozzle, such that the
organic light emitting layer is formed on the display area of the
substrate.
[0024] According embodiments of the present invention, there can be
provided a printing mask and an apparatus for printing an organic
light emitting layer, which do not need to remove an organic light
emitting layer formed in a non-display area of a substrate through
additional processes even when the organic light emitting layer is
printed in a display area of the substrate using a nozzle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for printing an organic light
emitting layer according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a printing mask according to a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a printing mask according to a third embodiment
of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a printing mask according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The present invention will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
certain embodiments of the invention are shown. As those skilled in
the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in
various ways, without departing from the spirit or scope of the
present invention.
[0030] The drawings and description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like reference numerals
generally designate like elements throughout the specification.
[0031] Further, in the described embodiments, elements having the
same component are generally denoted by the same reference numerals
and will be described representatively in a first embodiment, and
only components different from those of the first embodiment will
be described in the other embodiments.
[0032] Furthermore, as the size and thickness of the respective
structural components shown in the drawings are arbitrarily
illustrated for explanatory convenience, the present invention is
not necessarily limited to the illustrated sizes and
thicknesses.
[0033] In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels,
regions, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity. In the drawings, for
understanding and ease of description, the thicknesses of some
layers and areas may be exaggerated.
[0034] In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary,
the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or
"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated
elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.
[0035] A method of printing an organic light emitting layer on a
substrate by discharging an organic light emitting liquid for an
organic light emitting layer on the substrate, using a nozzle, has
recently been developed.
[0036] However, when the organic light emitting layer is printed on
the substrate using the nozzle, the organic light emitting liquid
is discharged on the substrate while the nozzle moves across a
display area of the substrate, and thus the organic light emitting
layer is printed in a non-display area of the substrate as well as
the display area of the substrate. Therefore, the organic light
emitting layer formed in the non-display area needs to be removed
by using additional processes.
[0037] Hereinafter, a printing apparatus according to a first
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for printing an organic light
emitting layer according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus 1000 for printing an
organic light emitting layer according to a first embodiment of the
present invention is configured to form an organic light emitting
layer in a display area DA of a substrate SUB having the display
area DA and a non-display area NDA surrounding the display area DA,
and includes a nozzle 100 and a printing mask 200.
[0040] The nozzle 100 is disposed above the substrate SUB. The
nozzle 100 discharges an organic light emitting liquid OLF for the
organic light emitting layer onto the substrate SUB while moving in
a moving direction (X) across a mask open part 210 of the printing
mask 200. The organic light emitting liquid OLF discharged from the
nozzle 100 is masked by the printing mask 200, and then discharged
into only the display area DA of the substrate SUB.
[0041] The printing mask 200 is disposed between the substrate SUB
and the nozzle 100. The printing mask 200 includes the mask open
part 210 and a mask cover part 220.
[0042] The mask open part 210 is perforated, and exposes the
display area DA correspondingly to the display area DA of the
substrate SUB. The mask open part 210 may have a hole shape, which
is perforated in various shapes correspondingly to the display area
DA of the substrate SUB.
[0043] The mask cover part 220 surrounds the mask open part 210 and
covers the non-display area NDA of the substrate SUB. Since the
mask cover part 220 covers the non-display area NDA of the
substrate SUB, the organic light emitting liquid OLF discharged
from the nozzle 100 moving in the moving direction (X) is
discharged onto the mask cover part 220 but not the non-display
area NDA of the substrate SUB.
[0044] As described above, the apparatus 1000 for printing an
organic light emitting layer according to the first embodiment
includes the printing mask 200, which is disposed between the
nozzle 100 and the substrate SUB and has the mask open part 210
exposing the display area DA of the substrate SUB and the mask
cover part 220 covering the non-display area NDA of the substrate
SUB, so that, even though the organic light emitting liquid OLF for
the organic light emitting layer is discharged onto the substrate
SUB by using the nozzle 100, the organic light emitting liquid OLF
is not discharged into the non-display area NDA of the substrate
SUB since the organic light emitting liquid OLF discharged from the
nozzle 100 is discharged to the mask cover part 220 of the printing
mask 200.
[0045] As such, since the organic light emitting liquid OLF is not
discharged into the non-display area NDA of the substrate SUB,
there is no need to use additional processes to remove the organic
light emitting layer formed in the non-display area NDA of the
substrate SUB. This acts as a factor reducing the overall
manufacturing cost and manufacturing time of the overall organic
light emitting diode (OLED) display.
[0046] In addition, the apparatus 1000 for printing an organic
light emitting layer according to the first embodiment includes the
printing mask 200, so that there is no need to use additional
processes to remove the organic light emitting layer formed in the
non-display area NDA of the substrate SUB, thereby preventing
damage to the organic light emitting layer formed in the display
area DA of the substrate SUB due to the process of removing the
organic light emitting layer formed in the non-display area NDA of
the substrate SUB and preventing damage to a wire or an insulating
layer formed in the non-display area NDA of the substrate SUB. This
acts as a factor improving reliability in manufacturing the overall
organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.
[0047] Hereinafter, a printing mask according to a second
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIG. 2.
[0048] Hereinafter, only parts distinguished from those of the
first embodiment will be described and parts of which descriptions
are omitted conform to the first embodiment. Further, like elements
of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described
by using like reference numerals of the first embodiment, for
convenience of illustration.
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a printing mask according to a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, a printing mask 202 according to a
second embodiment of the present invention includes a mask open
part 210, a mask cover part 220, a first groove 230, and a second
groove 240.
[0051] The first groove 230 is dented from a surface of the mask
cover part 220 adjacently to the mask open part 210. The first
groove 230 is disposed at one side of the mask cover part 220 on a
path in the moving direction (X) of a nozzle. The first groove 230
is dented from the surface of the mask cover part 220 and extended
along the moving direction (X) of the nozzle. The first groove 230
is plural in number, and the plural first grooves 230 are spaced
apart from each other in a crossing direction across the moving
direction (X).
[0052] The second groove 240 is dented from a surface of the mask
cover part 220 adjacently to the mask open part 210. The second
groove 240 is disposed at the other side of the mask cover part
220, which is spaced apart from one side of the mask cover part 220
with the mask open part 210 therebetween on a path in the moving
direction (X) of the nozzle. The second groove 240 is dented from
the surface of the mask cover part 220 and extended along the
moving direction (X) of the nozzle. The second groove 240 is plural
in number, and the plural second grooves 240 are spaced apart from
each other in the crossing direction across the moving direction
(X).
[0053] The first groove 230 and the second groove 240 may be formed
by using a half-etching method or the like employing a
photolithographic process or the like.
[0054] As such, the printing mask 202 according to the second
embodiment of the present invention includes the first groove 230
and the second groove 240, each of the first groove 230 and the
second groove 240 functioning as a ditch, so that the organic light
emitting liquid discharged onto the mask cover part 220 from the
nozzle moves to the first groove 230 and the second groove 240,
which have a lower potential energy than the surface of the mask
cover part 220, thereby inhibiting the organic light emitting
liquid discharged from the nozzle from being located on the surface
of the mask cover part 220.
[0055] As such, the printing mask 202 according to the second
embodiment inhibits the organic light emitting liquid discharged
from the nozzle from being located on the surface of the mask cover
part 220, so that, at the time of an organic light emitting layer
printing process using the printing mask 202, the printing mask 202
can be used as a mask for a long time and inhibit the organic light
emitting liquid discharged from the nozzle from being located on
the surface of the mask cover part 220 as a drop and thus inhibit
the drop formed of the organic light emitting liquid from
interfering the nozzle, which moves in the moving direction (X).
This acts as both a factor reducing the manufacturing cost and the
manufacturing time of the overall organic light emitting diode
(OLED) display and a factor improving reliability in manufacturing
the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.
[0056] Hereinafter, a printing mask according to a third embodiment
of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
3.
[0057] Hereinafter, only parts distinguished from those of the
second embodiment will be described and parts of which descriptions
are omitted conform to the second embodiment. Further, like
elements of the third embodiment of the present invention will be
described by using like reference numerals of the second
embodiment, for convenience of illustration.
[0058] FIG. 3 shows a printing mask according to a third embodiment
of the present invention.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, a printing mask 203 according to a third
embodiment of the present invention includes a mask open part 210,
a mask cover part 220, first grooves 230, second grooves 240, a
first reservoir 250, and a second reservoir 260.
[0060] The first reservoir 250 communicates with a plurality of
first grooves 230, and is dented from the surface of the mask cover
part 220 and extended in a crossing direction (Y) across a moving
direction (X) of a nozzle. The first reservoir 250 is extended in
the crossing direction (Y) while having a wider width than the
first groove 230. The first reservoir 250 is located between the
first grooves 230 and an end portion of the mask cover part 220, an
edge of the printing mask 203. The first reservoir 250 may be
dented deeper from the surface of the mask cover part 220 as
compared with the first groove 230. In addition, a bottom portion
of the first groove 230 may be further inclined toward the first
reservoir 250.
[0061] The second reservoir 260 communicates with a plurality of
second grooves 240, and is dented from the surface of the mask
cover part 220 and extended in the crossing direction (Y) across
the moving direction (X) of the nozzle. The second reservoir 260 is
extended in the crossing direction (Y) while having a wider width
than the second groove 240. The second reservoir 260 is located
between the second grooves 240 and an end portion of the mask cover
part 220, an edge of the printing mask 203. The second reservoir
260 may be dented deeper from the surface of the mask cover part
220 as compared with the second groove 240. In addition, a bottom
portion of the second groove 240 may be further inclined toward the
second reservoir 260.
[0062] The first reservoir 250 and the second reservoir 260 may be
simultaneously formed by using a half-etching method or the like
employing a photolithographic process or the like.
[0063] As such, the printing mask 203 according to the third
embodiment of the present invention includes the first grooves 230,
the second grooves 240, the first reservoir 250, and the second
reservoir 260 while the first groove 230 and the second groove 240
each function as a ditch and the first reservoir 250 and the second
reservoir 260 each function as a reservoir connected to the ditch.
Therefore, the organic light emitting liquid discharged from the
nozzle onto the mask cover part 220 moves to the first reservoir
250 and the second reservoir 260 through the first grooves 230 and
the second grooves 240, which have a lower potential energy than
the surface of the mask cover part 220, respectively, thereby
inhibiting the organic light emitting liquid discharged from the
nozzle from being located on the surface of the mask cover part
220.
[0064] As such, the printing mask 203 according to the third
embodiment inhibits the organic light emitting liquid discharged
from the nozzle from being located on the surface of the mask cover
part 220, so that, at the time of an organic light emitting layer
printing process using the printing mask 203, the printing mask 203
can be used as a mask for a longer time as compared with the
printing mask 202 according to the foregoing second embodiment and
inhibit the organic light emitting liquid discharged from the
nozzle from being located on the surface of the mask cover part 220
as a drop and thus inhibit the drop formed of the organic light
emitting liquid from interfering the nozzle, which moves in the
moving direction (X). This acts as both a factor reducing the
manufacturing cost and the manufacturing time of the overall
organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and a factor improving
reliability in manufacturing the organic light emitting diode
(OLED) display.
[0065] Hereinafter, a printing mask according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIG. 4.
[0066] Hereinafter, only parts distinguished from those of the
second embodiment will be described and parts of which descriptions
are omitted conform to the second embodiment. Further, like
elements of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be
described by using like reference numerals of the second
embodiment, for convenience of illustration.
[0067] FIG. 4 shows a printing mask according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, a printing mask 204 according to a
fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a mask open
part 210, a mask cover part 220, first grooves 230, second grooves
240, a first reservoir 250, and a second reservoir 260.
[0069] The first reservoir 250 communicates with a plurality of
first grooves 230, and is dented from the surface of the mask cover
part 220 and extended in a crossing direction across a moving
direction (X) of a nozzle. The first reservoir 250 is extended in a
crossing direction (Y) across the moving direction (X) of the
nozzle while having a wider width than the first groove 230. The
first reservoir 250 is located between the first grooves 230 and
the mask open part 210. The first reservoir 250 may be dented
deeper from the surface of the mask cover part 220 as compared with
the first groove 230. In addition, a bottom portion of the first
groove 230 may slop toward the first reservoir 250.
[0070] The second reservoir 260 communicates with a plurality of
second grooves 240, and is dented from the surface of the mask
cover part 220 and extended in the crossing direction (Y) across
the moving direction (X) of the nozzle. The second reservoir 260 is
extended in the crossing direction (Y) while having a wider width
than the second groove 240. The second reservoir 260 is located
between the second grooves 260 and the mask open part 210. The
second reservoir 260 may be dented deeper from the surface of the
mask cover part 220 as compared with the second groove 240. In
addition, a bottom portion of the second groove 240 may be further
inclined toward the second reservoir 260.
[0071] The first reservoir 250 and the second reservoir 260 may be
simultaneously formed by using a half-etching method or the like
employing a photolithographic process or the like.
[0072] As such, the printing mask 204 according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention includes the first grooves 230,
the second grooves 240, the first reservoir 250, and the second
reservoir 260 while the first groove 230 and the second grooves 240
each function as a ditch and the first reservoir 250 and the second
reservoir 260 each function as a reservoir connected to the ditch.
Therefore, the organic light emitting liquid discharged from the
nozzle onto the mask cover part 220 moves to the first reservoir
250 and the second reservoir 260 through the first groove 230 and
the second groove 240, which have a lower potential energy than the
surface of the mask cover part 220, respectively, thereby
inhibiting the organic light emitting liquid discharged from the
nozzle from being located on the surface of the mask cover part
220.
[0073] As such, the printing mask 204 according to the fourth
embodiment inhibits the organic light emitting liquid discharged
from the nozzle from being located on the surface of the mask cover
part 220, so that, at the time of an organic light emitting layer
printing process using the printing mask 204, the printing mask 204
can be used as a mask for a longer time as compared with the
printing mask 202 according to the foregoing second embodiment and
inhibit the organic light emitting liquid discharged from the
nozzle from being located on the surface of the mask cover part 220
as a drop and thus inhibit the drop formed of the organic light
emitting liquid from interfering the nozzle, which moves in the
moving direction (X). This acts as both a factor reducing the
manufacturing cost and the manufacturing time of the overall
organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and a factor improving
reliability in manufacturing the organic light emitting diode
(OLED) display.
[0074] Further, as for the printing mask 204 according to the
fourth embodiment of the present invention, each of the first
reservoir 250 and the second reservoir 260 dented from the mask
cover part 220 is adjacent to the mask open part 210, so that, when
the organic light emitting liquid discharged from the nozzle is
dropped into the display area of the substrate through the mask
open part 210 while passing through the bottom portion of each of
the first reservoir 250 and the second reservoir 260, the distance
between the bottom portion of each of the first reservoir and the
second reservoir 260 and a surface of the display area of the
substrate is minimized, resulting in minimizing the falling of the
organic light emitting liquid dropped to the substrate through the
mask open part 210 while passing through each of the first
reservoir 250 and the second reservoir 260, thereby inhibiting the
organic light emitting liquid from being spattered. This acts as a
factor improving reliability in manufacturing the overall organic
light emitting diode (OLED) display.
[0075] While this invention has been described in connection with
certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *